With trends running in and out of our closets faster than we can replenish our wallets, it's time to ground ourselves in a simple truth: class will never go out of style. Twin sisters McKaelyn and McKinley Guidry have created beauty, opulence, and timelessness through their vintage-inspired brand X2 NYC. Glitz and glamour sit in the hearts of these designers hailing from the eccentric New Orleans, Louisiana. There’s nothing that these girls don’t do together – whether they’re hitting the slopes in Aspen or lounging on a boat in San Tropez there’s no such thing as comfort over style because they’ve created a world for both. 

After graduating from Parsons School of Fashion, together may I add, it was only natural that they continue their lifelong partnership through their ski and resort wear brand X2 NYC. With a prestigious fashion education in design (times two!) they were equipped to bring together the glamour of their closets and lifestyle to their work. Their inspiration derives from old Hollywood class and vintage 1930s New York. Beauty is the name of the game, so why not hit the slopes in a ski skirt? But it’s not just beauty they’re focusing on here, they’ve dedicated themselves to small-batch sustainable practices and collaborate with artisans and craftsmen all over the world. We sat down with founders McKaelyn and McKinley to find out more about X2 NYC. 

The press release mentions X2 NYC is 'redefining a niche pathway for womenswear'. If you had 30 seconds in an elevator with someone who's never heard of X2 NYC, how would you describe that niche and what makes your designs stand out in a way that truly captivates them? 

X2 is a vintage inspired novelty ski and resort wear brand for the decadent traveler and social enthusiast. The collections are deeply inspired by our personal style which embodies old Hollywood nostalgia and is inspired by our love of interior design, travel, and love of vintage archiving. 

X2 NYC specializes in vintage-inspired skiwear and resort attire. When you look to the past for inspiration, what specific elements or design philosophies from those 'old fashion houses' resonate most deeply with you, and how do you re-interpret them for the contemporary woman? 

We resonate with craftsmanship of the past, specifically the attention to detail when it came to custom novelty fabrics, trims, and hardware. We have shifted to molding custom hardware with NYC artisans in which every piece is engraved with X2, we like our pieces to be marked and signed like art, emphasizing its uniqueness. 

Could you share a specific story about a collaboration with a local NYC artisan that was particularly memorable? Perhaps a funny challenge you overcame together, or a heartwarming moment of shared creativity? What did that experience teach you about your design philosophy and the importance of community in your work? 

When starting the process of crafting our own hardware, there are so many steps that go into the creative process and production of one piece. We would bring in one- of- one hardware and buttons dating back from the 1920s and work on restoring the shape as they typically are damaged, trying to recreate the piece to its former glory with a slight twist that feels more like X2. We work with brass casters and metal molders depending on the project. Depending on the design, the weight of the piece can change whether it will be produced in brass or then metal, and of course there is also plating and enameling which are all different crafts and different artisans. One style of button can take up to three different factories, before it is finished and complete. Custom hardware is a labor of love and truly meticulous, but the unique results are so gratifying and takes great attention to detail. Being able to collaborate in person with these family owned businesses and 4th generation casters is an experience that is electric and motivates our design process, we love building connection and longevity in partnerships when comes to craftsmanship, as novelty detail and finishes are crucial to us as creatives and we want to keep integral quality in the process.

In an ever-evolving fashion landscape, what role do you believe storytelling plays in your designs, and how do you weave narratives into your collections that resonate with your audience on a personal level?

In an ever evolving fashion landscape, we think our vintage fashion girl is a constant. She will always have more of an appreciation of the past than current trends. However, storytelling lies in the creation of each X2 piece. Our design process always includes a study of our connection to the past, present, and future. Our collections are always highly tied to our fascination with past icons' and their eclectic elegance and composure, which we feel has been lost in today's society. However, each garment serves the modern woman's needs and everyday life. When designing, we fantasize about where we will wear our creations next and often narrate a picture of what those next travels and environments will look like, which inspires us to always create more ultimately. 

If you were designing an immersive X2 NYC experience, like a pop-up or a special event, what are three essential elements you'd include to transport people into that world and let them truly feel the essence of the brand? 

We have thought about this for years, and instantly, quite a few ideas come to mind. We would include an immersive experience with novelty memorabilia for each guest to take home, like hand-painted fans or handmade parasols on site to enjoy in the heat of summer. Secondly, I would serve guests some of our favorite dessert wines, like Chateau D'Yquem, in vintage cordial glasses from our personal archives and curation. Lastly, I would have the servers in custom X2 Tuxedos Tails, serving guests in white gloves for an extra special touch of heritage glamour. Guests will surely feel like they have been transported to the past at any X2 event. 

Looking back, what's one specific lesson, project, or piece of advice from your time at Parsons that significantly influenced how you approach blending textures, eras, and global influences in your designs today? 

The process of putting every piece of inspiration that inspires you into your active sketch book and writing specific details of the fixation of that inspiration will lead your creative process to so many different unexpected avenues, it might be the inspiration for a trim or print on a fabric. Creatives typically tend to be all over the place, organizing your work in a process book helps to keep focus and see your work laid out visually. We also like creating wall mood boards and quite literally living with our process, and when new ideas are sparked we just place it on the wall and build a beautiful eclectic story.

X2 NYC emphasizes quality over quantity and collaborates with local NYC artisans. In a world of fast fashion, this choice speaks volumes. Can you share a specific instance where prioritizing quality or working with a local artisan led to an unexpected reward or a moment that truly reinforced the value of this approach for X2 NYC? 

When collaborating with local artisans, the tedious process allows us the capability of improving our design iterations before going into production. Mentoring us with invaluable knowledge and advice, X2 craftsmanship is taken to the next level of luxury. None-the-less, the strength in communication is key in our production process and timelines.

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